India, Sept. 7 -- Ace shuttler Sukant Kadam is now World No 1, in the SL4 para-badminton category. He recently won gold at the Spanish Para-Badminton International 2025, and doesn't shy away from taking the responsibility it brings along. "When I now compete next, it will be as the World No 1. So, I must play like one and maintain my position at the top," he says.

But amid receiving global recognition for this feat, what bothers him is how fellow para-athletes aren't being cared for enough. Sharing how the love for para-sports remains mostly conditional, the 32-year-old asserts: "Yes, I feel proud whenever I achieve something for my country, but then I also stay grounded in the reality. With able-bodied athletes, whether they win or lose...